Guide to the Papers of Philip Slomovitz (1896-1993), undated, 1933-1966
P-84
Processed by Jason Schechter
American Jewish Historical Society
Center for Jewish History
15 West 16th Street
New York, N.Y. 10011
Phone: (212) 294-6160
Fax: (212) 294-6161
Email: reference@ajhs.org
URL: http://www.ajhs.org
© 2013, American Jewish Historical Society, Boston, MA and New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
Finding aid was encoded by Deena Schwimmer on August 23, 2005. Description is in English.
Descriptive Summary |
|
| Creator: | Slomovitz, Philip |
|---|---|
| Title: | Papers of Philip Slomovitz |
| Dates: | undated, 1933-1966 |
| Abstract: | Newspaper editor and publisher Philip Slomovitz also was an active member of the Detroit Jewish community and of the Zionist movement. Throughout the more than 40 years as head of The Jewish News, the Detroit-based newspaper he founded, Slomovitz addressed issues of concern to the American Jewish community, and was a relentless campaigner against instances of discrimination and anti-Semitism. |
| Languages: | The collection is in English. |
| Quantity: | 0.5 linear feet |
| Identification: | P-84 |
| Repository: | American Jewish Historical Society |
Biographical Note
Philip Slomovitz was born on December 5, 1896 in the Russian occupied Polish city of Minsk. Educated in Europe, Slomovitz came to the United States in 1910 and continued his studies in journalism at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. He settled himself in Detroit where he instantly became an active member of the Detroit Jewish community and Zionist movement.
From 1918 to 1920, Slomovitz worked on the editorial staff of the Detroit News, and then began work as editor of the Detroit Jewish Chronicle in 1921. He continued work there until 1942; when Slomovitz founded his own, community-funded newspaper - The Jewish News. It became the most profitable English language Jewish paper in the United States under his management. He remained at the helm of The Jewish News until he sold the paper in 1984, but even after his retirement he continued to write weekly columns for the paper.
Slomovitz was an active member of the Jewish community in Detroit as well as a devoted Zionist serving as an officer on the American Jewish Congregation and the executive board of the Zionist Organization of America. Using The Jewish News, Slomovitz addressed issues concerning Jews in the United States after WWII. Never faltering, he brashly uncovered instances of Anti-Semitism and discrimination against Jews and Israel committed by members of the Army, prominent businesspersons, or government leaders.
During his 71 years as a newspaperman he never failed to write a weekly column except for the one week following his so-called retirement after selling The Jewish News in 1984. Slomovitz died on February 17, 1993 at the ripe age of 96.
For additional references:
- Slomovitz, Philip. Without Malice. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. 1978.
- Slomovitz, Philip. Purely Commentary. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. 1981.
- Slomovitz, Philip. The Jewish Book. New York: 1944.
Scope and Contents
The Papers of Philip Slomovitz reflect the work of Philip Slomovitz in his more than 70 years of being an active newspaperman in Detroit. Though the collection does not preserve the total volume of papers and work produced by Slomovitz, it does serve as a reference to the extent of his work and depth of his association with the Zionist movement and a member of the American Jewish community.
The collection is valuable to researchers studying the Jewish experience after WWII. Even though Slomovitz's publication was based in Detroit, the topics he holds correspondences about are of national and international importance. Most of the papers are correspondences from the post-WWII era concerning diverse issues such as the dictionary definition of "Jew," Anti-Semitism at a German Consulate, religious discrimination in the US Army, and a boycott of Anti-Israeli tobacco corporation.
The collection consists mostly of correspondences and letters between Slomovitz and members of Congress, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), and members of other Zionist and Jewish organizations.
Return to the Top of PageArrangement
The collection is arranged in a single series organized by topic.
Return to the Top of PageRestrictions
Access Restrictions
The collection is open to all researchers by permission of the Director of Library and Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society, except items that are restricted due to their fragility.
Use Restrictions
Information concerning the literary rights may be obtained from the Executive Director of the American Jewish Historical Society. Users must apply in writing for permission to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection. For more information contact:
American Jewish Historical Society, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY, 10011
email:
info@ajhs.org
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date (if known);
Papers of Philip Slomovitz;
P-84; box number; folder number; American Jewish Historical Society, Boston, MA and New York, NY.
Acquisition Information
Philip Slomovitz donated his papers to the American Jewish Historical Society c. 1970.
Return to the Top of PageAccess Points
This collection is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
-
Individuals:
- Dingell, John D.
- Dodge, S. A.
- Hucke, Wolfram
-
Organizations:
- Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company
- Jewish Telegraphic Agency (New York, N.Y.)
- Tetley Tea Company
-
Subjects:
- Anti-Jewish boycotts
- Anti-Semitism, United States
- Jewish News (Detroit, Mich.)
- Jewish newspapers, Michigan
- Jews, name
- Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945, relations with Jews
- United States, relations, Israel
- Zionism, United States
-
Places:
- Detroit (Mich.)
-
Document Types:
- Correspondence
- Documents
-
Occupations:
- Newspaper Editors
Center for Jewish History publicservices@cjh.org
American Jewish Historical Society reference@ajhs.org